CALTRANS ASSISTS IN THE “CLICK IT OR TICKET” SEAT BELT CAMPAIGN
Renewed Effort Includes Increased Education and Enforcement of Seat Belt Laws

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) is partnering with the California Highway Patrol and the Office of Traffic Safety in their new Seat Belt Campaign “Click It or Ticket”.

California Highway Patrol Deputy Commissioner Farrow, long an advocate of increased education on the effectiveness of seat belt safety, said that the patrol is deeply committed toward raising seat belt use in California. The California Office of Traffic Safety recently awarded more than $4.8 million to 250 local law enforcement agencies to pay for officer overtime associated with seat belt enforcement.

If you ever wondered how three seconds can save millions of lives as well as dollars, consider this: California’s seat belt use rate is 90.4 percent, significantly higher than the national average of 80 percent, there are more than three million people in the State who don’t buckle up. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) seat belts reduce a person’s chances of dying in a crash by 50 percent. We know that when used properly, seat belts reduce the risk of fatal injuries to the front seat passengers. So please use the three seconds to buckle up and save your life.

Beginning May 19, 2005 and running through May 30, 2005, Caltrans will bring the “Click It or Ticket” safe driving message right into motorist vehicles. “We will activate roadside changeable message signs and use the Highway Advisory Radio’s (HAR) alongside the roadway reminding motorists of the importance of using their seatbelt,” stated Brian Everson, Deputy District Director of Maintenance and Traffic Operations for District 6.